Water-softening apparatus.



PATBNTBD APR. 28, 1908.

K. w. BARTLETT. WATER SOPTENING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED BEPT.21,1906.

" UNITED STAT S;

KENT w. BARTLETT, or omcaeo, itLmo'is. I

waTEn-sor Enme Arrana'rus."

Specification of Letters Patent. Application -flled September 21,1906. Serial No. 836,660.

PatentedApril a; 1063.]

To an whom it may concern: v

Be it known that I, KENT W. BARTLETT,

citizen of the United States, residing at Chi-- provide improved means for automatically regulatin the discharge "of chemical by the water to e softened or purified. This feature of my invention is racticed by effectin an adjustment of the avel of the chemicrfi with res ect to the discharge openin for the chemica whereby the quantity of c emical that flows through saidopening is determined and made proportional to the quantity of watenthat hap ens to be flowing, the position of the chemicai level with respect to the discharge opening being governed by the water. I broadly claim this feature. Another feature of my invention resides in providing an ad'ustment for determining the relative sizes of the dischar e openings for the water and the chemica that is to be mixed with the water.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provision of a metal through which the.

opening affording passage for the chemical may be formed, which metal is free from the corrosive action to which metalshave hitherto been sub'ect. By means of this feature of the invention, the discharge opening Will never vary in size, owingto the action of the chemical, whereby the rate' of flow through the chemical discharge opening will never be improperly varied as it would be if the metals hitherto employed were used. I have selected lead as the metal for withstanding chemical attack,-and Ipreferably, though not necessarily, combine another metal with the lead in a quantity insufficient to be subject to chemical attack and et sufficient to impart a desired rigidity to t e lead, it bein particularly desirable to add this other meta when the entirechamber or container for the chemical having the opening throu h which thechemical isto be discharged into t e water, is made of lead. I have employedan alloy of lead and antimony,

using eighty-five parts of lead by weight and fifteen parts of antimony. I Will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying showing the preferred embodiment of vention, in which i Figure 1' is a diagrammatic view showing .elements of my apparatus in elevation as these elements may be assembled to constitute a complete working apparatus. Fig. 2 is an elevation of that chemical containing chamber provided with the discharge opening which permits the flow of the chemical into the water,.this view showing more clearly theshape of said discharge opening. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4' is a view takenin the direction of arrow 4 of Fig. 1 showing so much of the water containing tank as is necessary to understand how the discharge opening may be adjusted in order to regulate the relative sizes of the drawing,

water and chemical discharge openings. Fig.

5 is a sectional view on line 5 5'of Fig. 4.

Like parts are indicated by similar char -'acters of reference throughout the different figures. A

The water that is to be softened or purified may be received through a pipe a leading from a suitable source of sup 1y, said pipe discharging into a tank b, which tank is preferably a double tank, being so constituted by a partition wall 0. The mixture of chemical and water occurs in the tank portion d,

this tank portion having a discharge 'pipe e that conveys the intermixed water and chemical to its destination, as, for example, a preci itating tanks The water is discharged into t e tank portion (2 from the tank portion f through the o ening g in the wall 0, while the chemical is ischarged into the tank ortion (I through a pipe h, this pipe h afior in communicat on between the chamber (1 an a chamber 01, into which the chemical is discharged, this chemical being dischar ed into the chamber i through an opening I in the vertical wall of a vessel Z to which the chemical is supplied in a manner more fully to be hereinafter set forth.

In order that the quantity of water flowing may be made to bear a pro er proportion to a given quantity of chemica that is being dischar ed from the chamber 1, or, in other wor s, in order that the chemical that is flowing may be properly proportioned in quan'tit to a given flow of wat posed upon three sides of the opening er I provide some a justing means whereby this proportion ma be adjustably determined and fixed, to whic end I adjust thesizeof-the opening 9. This adjustment I preferably secure by the construction shown articularly in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein a gui ing frame m is disslide it works in this guiding frame, by adjustment of which the size of the opening 9 1s regulated. For the purpose of this adjustment, I desirabl form an enlargement 0 u on the slide n an engage the threads of a s aft 1) with the threads providedwithin a bore formed in said enlargement. This shaft engages a stirrup p, which stirrupzengages collars p p fixed u on the sha so that said shaft, while capa le of rotation, is not capable of longitudinal movement. A

hand wheel 19 mounted u on the shaft, en-.

ables the rotation of the s aft, whereby the slide n may be moved backward and forward to regulate the size of the opening g. -An index rod is actuated by the slide n, said index rod being desirably mounted directl u on said slide and projecting through a wa l otthe chamber 1), so that the free end of the rod q may act as an index to ride over a scale g that will indicate to the operator the size of the opening 9. This is the preferred mechanism for adjusting the relative sizes of the openings g and k, but I do not wish to be limited to the precise mechanism that I have illustrated for effecting this adjustment.

It Will be seen that the size of the opening 9 may be regulated upon the exterior of the chamber 6 and that the extent of such regulation is shown by the indicating mechanism 1 visible upon the exterior of said chamher. I desirably guard the index mechanismand the regulating mechanism p 12 by means of a shield g, which may be locked in place to cover these parts, it being intended that only those that are authorized shall have access to the regulator.

Assuming given sizes for the opemngs g and k, I provide means whereby as the quantity of water flowing through the opening 9 varies the quantity of chemical discharged into the water also varies in pro ortion. I will describe the apparatus in w ich this is accomplished in accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention. In this apparatus there is included a guide 1", which may be in the form of a cylinder-perforated at 1" sufiiciently near the bottom to insure the continual presence of moving water in the cylinder, the uide 1' directing the float s in vertical trave the floatbeing carried by the water and rising and falling as the level of the water rises and falls, or, in other words, as the quantity of water flowing through the opening 9 varies. A flexible belt 8 is attached to this float s, and desirably passes over pulleys s 8 the other end of ceases this belt carrying the chamber or container 1 into which the chemical that is to be supplied to the water is discharged by any suitable means. In the embodiment of the invention shown, I have employed for the urpose of suppl ing this container 1 with c emical, a flex1b e pipe or movable piping-Z that affords connection between the bottom portions of the chamber Z and a chamber t.

The chamber it constitutes what may be termed a constant level chamber, as the chemical is maintained therein at a constant level with'the aid of a float a supported b the chemical in the chamber t, and whic regulates the valve 0 included in a duet w,

that may, when the valve 1) is open, establish communication between the constant level chamber t and a main reservoir :13. The opening k'in the chamber or container I desirably extends to the top of the container but does not extend quite to tllGbOlltOlD, so that a quantity of chemical is always assured in said container. It will be. seen that by means of the pipe Z (which is the a ency I prefer for the pur ose to be stated) the level of the liquid in t e chamber 25 is coincident with the level of the liquid in the container 1,

which is the case no matter what may be the vertical (position of the container 1. In the preferre embodiment of the invention, the vertical position of the container lis changed and determined by the water inthe chamber charged from the chamber f decreases, the

float s, obviously, descends, whereby the container 1 is elevated, as a consequence of which the level of the chemical in said chamber is lowered with respect to the opening k, thereby properly reducing the amount of chemical that is discharged into the water.

While I prefer to move the container Z, I do not wishto be limited to this method of regulating the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening k.

I desirably mterpose a perforated baflieplate 1 between the pipe 1 and the opening k, so that the chemical will not surge through the said opening. The opening in is desirably formed in a metal that will not be subject to the corrosive action of the chemical, which metal is desirably lead having antimony intermixed therewith to impart rigidity to the lead, if the entire container Z is to be made of the same material, as hitherto stated. Metal has hitherto been found ohcaspasjectio'nable, because it would not withstand metal is desirable be- I am the first to use a metal in which a slot may be properly formed,'. which slot would retain its original size, because I make-use of .a metal that will chem cal. j

I have not deemed it necessary to mention the various chemicals that may be used. in

my apparatusy as any suitable chemical may be employed, as is well known by those skilled in the art.

l a container for chemical opening for permittingthepassage of the matically operatedby vary the quantity of While I have herein shown and particw' larly described the preferred embod the recise apparatus illustrated, but,

aving thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to. secure-by Letters Pa'tent:'

1. A. water softening a aving a discharge chemical into the water, and mechanism automatically-operated by the water for causing the level of the chemical to occupy var ing positions relatively-with respect to 't e discharge opening-to alter the uantity of chemical supplied to. the water as-t e quantity of water supplied for treatment varies j 2. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical aving a discharge opening for'permitting the passage of chemical into the water, and mechanism automatically operated by ing the position of the'container tothereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the dischar e opening to vary the quantity of chemica supplied to the water as the quantity of watersupplied for treatment varies.

3. A water softening a a container for chemical opening for permitting .the

passage'of chem lcal into the water, and

mechanism autothe Water serving to vary the vertical position of the container to thereby adjust the level of thechemical With respect to the discharge opening to the water as the quantity of watersupplied for treatment varies.

4. A water softemng a container 'for chemlcal opening for permitting the passage .of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the water for regulating the level of the chemical with respect to the dis charge opening-to vary the quantityofchemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies,- and a constant level chamber in communication with said container serving to maintain the same supplied with chemical.

' 5. A water softening "and a constant lme'nt of my invention; 1 do not wishito be limited to paratus including for treatment varies, and

chamber in communication with said COD? maintain the same supthe Water for regulat supplied tion between said and container.

paratus including aving adischargechemical supplied to a paratus including a container for chemical aving a discharge opening for permitting'the passage of chem-. ical, into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the'water for regulatingthe position of the container to thereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the withstand attack of the. d

ischargeopenin ",to vary the quantity of chemical supplie to the wateras the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies,v

evel chamber in commune cation with said containerserving to'main-j tain the same su plied with chemical.

I .6'. A'water' soitening acontainerfor chemical aving a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated byjthe water serving to vary the vertical position of the container to thereby adjust, the level of the chemical withvrespect to'the discharge opening to apparatus including vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of Water supplied a constant level 'tainer serving to plied with chemical.

7. A water softening a paratus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the waterfor regulating the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary'the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water sup lied .for treatment varies, a constant levehchamber in'com'munication with said container serving to maintain thesame with chemical, and movable piping means for effecting the communicaconstant level chamber affording '8. A water softenin apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical, into the water, mechanism automatically" operated by the water for regulating the positionof the container to thereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies,

i a constant level chamber in communication pparatus including having a discharge with said container serving to maintain the same su plied with chemical, and movable 'piping a ording means for efl'ectingthe communication between said constant level chamber and container. I

9.. A water softening a paratus including a container for chemical aving a discharge opening for permitting .the passage of chemical into the water, mechanismautomatically operated by the water serving to vary the vertical position of the container to thereby adjust the levelof the chemical with respect to the dischar e openin to vary the quantity of chemica supplie to the water as the quantity of water\ sup lied for treatment varies, a constant level 0 amber in communication with said container serving to mainwater supplied for treatment vari'es, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container.

11. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, and mechanism automatically operatedby the water for regulating the osition of the container to thereby adjust t 1e level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the Water and having operative connection with said container;

12. A water softening apparatus including a container [or chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, and mechanism automatically operated by the water serving to vary the vertical position of the container to thereby adjust the level'of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container.

13. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically 0 crated by the water for regulating the level oi the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity ofchemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism mcludmg a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container, and a constant level chamber in communication with said container serving to maintain the same supplied with chemical. f V

14. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the water for regulating the 'position of the container to thereby a just the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the Water as the quantity ef water supplied for treatment varies said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container, and a constant ievel chamber in communication with said container serving1 to maintainthe sam'e supplied with chemica l 15. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the water serving to vary the vertical position of the container to thereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having 0 erative connection with said container, {LIN a constant level chamber in communication with said container serving to maintain the same supplied with chemical.

16. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water, mechanism automatically operated by the water for regulating the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container, a constant level chamber in communication with said container serving to maintain the same su )plied with chemical, and movable piping at ording means for effecting the communication between said constant level chamber and container.

17. A water softening apparatus including,

'a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical into the water,'mechanism automatically operated by the water for regulatin the position of the container to thereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge openin to vary the quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having operative connection with said container, a constant level chamber in communication with said container serving to maintain the same supplied with chemical, and movable; piping affording means for effecting the communication between said constant level chamber and container.

18. A water softening apparatus including a container for chemical having a discharge opening for permitting the passage of chemical'into the Water, mechanism automatically operated by the water serving to vary the. vertical position of the container to thereby adjust the level of the chemical with respect to the discharge opening to varythe quantity of chemical supplied to the water as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies, said mechanism including a float supported by the water and having op- I the discharge opening to alter the quantity of liquid discharged from the container as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies.

20. A water softening ap aratus including a liquid container having a ischarge opening for permitting the passage of liquid from the container, and mechanism automatically operated by the water provided for treatment for regulating the position of the container to thereby adjust the level of the liquid within the containerrelatively with respect to the discharge opening to alter the quantity of liquid discharged from the container as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies.

21. A water softening ap aratus including a liquid container having a ischar e opening for permitting the assage of liqui from the container, and mec anism automatically operated by thewater provided for treatment for regulating the position of the discharge opening to thereby adjust the level of the liquid Within the container relatively with respect to the discharge opening to alter the quantity of liquid discharged rom the container as the quantity of water supplied for treatment varies. I

22. A water purifying apparatus comprising a reservoir, a discharge therefrom, variable according to the volume of water therein, a Water supply thereto, a chemical supply, a movable chemical box having a vertical slot therein, and connections to move said box to vary automatically the outflow of chemical from said box according to the supply of water in said reservoir. 1

23. A'water purifying apparatus comprising a reservoir, a variable discharge therefrom, a water supply thereto, a chemical supply, a movable chemical box, having a vari able discharge, a float in said reservon' and connect-ions between said float and said chemical box to automatically move the latter so as to discharge variable quantities of chemical according to the position of said float.

:24. A Water purifying apparatus comprising a reservoir, a dischar e therefrom, a movable box havinga slot therein extending up and down, and connections to move said box to vary automatically the outflow of material from said box according to-the supply in said reservoir.

25. A water purifyin apparatus compris-.

ing a reservoir, a movable box, having a vari- I able discharge, a float in said reservoir and connections hetween said float and said box to automatically move the latter so as to discharge variable quantities of material .according to the position of said float.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of September A. D., 1906.

KENT W. BARTLETT.

Witnesses: G. L. CRAGG, LEON G. STRoH. 

